Ian Collins, Markham CA

Ian Collins, Markham CA

Patent application number

Description

Published

20080226082

Systems and methods for secure data backup - Systems and methods are provided for securely backing up data files of a computing system onto a backup device. An encryption key is generated using some identification found on and unique to the computing system. The encryption key is used to encrypt the data which is then stored on the backup device as encrypted backed up data. The encrypted backed up data stored on the backup device can later be accessed, e.g., for data recovery purposes, by once again using the computing system unique identification to generate the encryption key which can then be used to decrypt the encrypted backed up data. In this way, the backed up data remains secure even if the backup device is lost or stolen.

09-18-2008

20080243466

Systems and methods for converting a media player into a backup device - A data backup system is provided that when coupled to a data source, such as a personal computer, and a media player, such an Apple Computer iPod, the data backup system blocks certain communications between the data source and the media player thus preventing the data source from recognizing the media player as such thereby avoiding the launching of synchronization software for the media player, the data backup system also causing the automatic launching of a backup application stored on the data backup system so that data files can be located on the data source and then backed up to the media player.

10-02-2008

20090030955

Automated data backup with graceful shutdown for vista-based system - A data backup device including a backup application is plugged into a data source running the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system. The data backup device reports itself as a removable storage device to the Vista OS thus causing the AutoRun functionality of Vista to locate and launch the backup application which performs a backup operation on the data source. Launching the backup application can be via an automated installation and launch process. Should the backup device become unplugged from the data source, the backup application is gracefully shutdown. The backup device including the backup application can be created by downloading a backup package containing the backup application and installing it on a user-specified device.

01-29-2009

20090031298

System and method for automated installation and/or launch of software - Automated installation and launch of software on a computing system is accomplished by stored program code that determines the computing system configuration, selects a version of the software accordingly, uninstalls any software already installed on the computing system that conflicts with the software to be installed and launched, terminates any process running on the computing system that conflicts with the software to be installed and launched, and suppresses displays on the computing system while installing and launching the software on the computing system.

01-29-2009

20100169560

Methods for Selectively Copying Data Files to Networked Storage and Devices for Initiating the Same - A data backup system comprises a USB flash drive that includes an emulation component and a flash memory. The emulation component is configured to represent the flash memory as if it were an auto-launch device. Accordingly, a data source, such as a personal computer, will interact with the flash memory as if it were the auto-launch device. As some operating systems are configured to recognize auto-launch devices upon connection and automatically execute applications stored thereon, merely connecting the USB flash drive to a data source running such an operating system will cause a backup application stored by the flash memory to automatically execute on the data source. Here, the backup application is configured to selectively back up data files from the data source to a networked storage such as a server of a commercial service provider.

07-01-2010

20110004459

Data Backup Devices and Methods for Backing Up Data - A data backup system comprises an emulation component and a storage device having logical storage areas. The emulation component is configured to represent a first logical storage area of the storage device, such as a solid state memory or a disk drive partition, as if it were an auto-launch device. Accordingly, a data source, such as a personal computer, will interact with the first logical storage area as if it were the auto-launch device. As some operating systems are configured to recognize auto-launch devices upon connection and automatically execute applications stored thereon, merely connecting the data backup system to a data source running such an operating system can cause a backup application stored by the first logical storage area to automatically execute on the data source to selectively back up data to a second logical storage area of the storage device.

01-06-2011

20110047128

Automatic Connection to an Online Service Provider from a Backup System - A software application is provided for a user to select a backed up data file and specify a task to be performed by an online service provider on the selected file. The application automatically connects to the online service provider and uploads the selected file for the online service provider to perform the task. Tasks that can be performed include printing, sharing, viewing, playing and archiving the selected file. Task preferences, user settings and user information can also be specified by the user and uploaded to the online service provider. Automatic connection to the online service provider can be via default setting, selected file type, or specified task. Alternatively, the user can designate which service provider is to perform the task. Payment for the task can be accomplished via bundled credits or by other payment mechanisms.

02-24-2011

20110125980

Data Backup System Including a Data Protection Component - A data backup system is provided for backing up data files from a data source and for securing those data files against accidental modification or deletion. The system comprises storage and a data protection component that includes an application programming interface defining a command set. The system can also comprise a backup application that is configured to use the commands of the command set. The data protection component allows applications that use the commands of the command set, such as the backup application, to access the storage of the system. The data protection component prevents operating systems and applications that do not use the commands of the command set from accessing the storage. The data protection function of the data protection component can optionally be disabled to allow open access to the storage.

05-26-2011

20110314035

Creation, Transfer and Use of a Portable Data Map Using Metadata - A portable data map of a data source is created using metadata obtained from the data source. The created data map represents the entire data set of the data source and can be carried on a mobile device without having to carry the entire data set and thus requiring much less storage space. A user of the mobile device can navigate this data map and view the file/folder hierarchy of the data source even when the mobile device is off line or not currently in communication with the data source. Once a user has made a selection the actual file(s) can be downloaded to the mobile device.

12-22-2011

20140156539

Device Profile-Based Rule Making for Customer Care - A method is provided for delivering customer care to a user of a mobile device. A first device profile of the mobile device is collected. Based on aspects of this first device profile displayed on a customer care interface, and a problem report, a fix is provided to the mobile device with respect to the problem report. After the fix, a second device profile is collected. The system determines at least one difference between the first device profile and the second device profile. This difference is used to automatically generate a proto-rule for future fixes based on the problem report. In this way, automatic rule-making is possible. An editor is also provided so that the proto-rule can be edited.

06-05-2014

20140313904

System and Method of Device Based Cached Rules - A method is provided for self-care based customer care for users of devices. A device agent is provided for the device. The device agent is executable on the device and is programmed for gathering information from the device in the form of a device profile and running a diagnosis of the device. The diagnosis process refers to a set of rules stored locally on the device, and aspects of the device profile are reviewed against conditions in these rules. The profile gathering and diagnosis steps are programmed to be triggered and occur on the device.